Rosy apple aphid

Names

Scientific Name

Dysaphis plantaginea

Biology

Description

Overview

The insect pest Dysaphis plantaginea has the common name of rosy apple aphid and causes wide spread losses in apple orchards. The control of this pest is directly related to the control of a weed known as narrow-leaved plantain, as this is the favoured summer host for D. plantaginea. The pest overwinters on the host-plant as black, shiny eggs that will hatch at bud burst.

Main description

Rosy apple aphid feeding causes small flecks of green tissue throughout fruits, as well as a bumpy fruit surface. The aphids are approximately 2 mm long at maturity and vary in colour greatly; however, the most common colour is rosy- brown. Characteristic signs of feeding damage are very tightly curled leaves and twisted shoots inside trees, as well as deformed and stunted fruits.

Scouting

Beginning at pink stage, inspect leaves and shoots in the inside of the tree canopy for the presence of aphid colonies. The initial or early establishment of the colonies should be targeted for the preferential application of a systemic insecticide to prevent population increase.